This 600

Mar 26, 2023

YouTuber Larry Chen has checked out Z1 Motorsports' modified Nissan Z, that produces over 600 hp with a stock block, and an all new suspension setup.

The 2023 Nissan Z exploded onto the scene dramatically, as Nissan reinvented its sports car for the 2020s. People beginning to modify the Z to suit their taste. As YouTuber and content creator Larry Chen found out with the Z1 Motorsports Nissan Z. This is a car with 600 hp making it one of the most powerful 2023 Nissan Zs in the world right now. It is the ZR34, and the modifications make it a great car to go on track day's with.

With suspension tuning has taking place on this Nissan, driving experience is further transformed. Now, the 2023 Nissan Z is a car that on those track days can challenge the likes of the Chevrolet C8 Corvette or the Porsche 911.

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The reason this car has earned the ZR34, is that the new 2023 Nissan Z uses the same chassis as the Nissan 370Z. Which was the Fairlady Z Z34 in Japan. Z1 Motorsports actually put a VR30 engine into a 370Z, in anticipation of the new Z having that engine to get a slight lead on the market. The move paid off, giving them 60 aftermarket products for the 2023 Z ready to go when it launched. And giving them data to begin work on their modified Z.

Under the hood you get the same 3.0-liter twin-turbo engine you’d find in a regular 2023 Z. That includes features such as direct-injection. But Z1 have managed to extract over 600 hp in total from the engine. New intakes are one feature, as are their new turbos and fuel pressure pump. The turbos here are not hybrid turbos on the standard Z, which take a larger compressor wheel and put it in the stock turbo housing. That creates more power but leads to heating issues. So this Z1 Motorsports Z has a larger turbo to counter that problem.

Aside from that, the block itself is stock with none of the major internals changed. The few changes done allow the car to produce that incredible power figure. Those new turbos have allowed the engine to stay cooler than it would have with the hybrid turbos. The car reached the mid 600 hp range on 110 Octane fuel, thanks to its ethanol free complexion. No E fuel has gone into the Z1 2023 Nissan Z just yet.

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The suspension on the 2023 Z is another area in which Z1 have conducted a lot of work. The team has various coilover suspension system options to offer. The S Pro line being for street cars and the R Pro line is suited more for track use. This Z features those R Pro coilovers, which are comfortable on the road while helping provide a tight and responsive suspension when the car is on the track. With the new suspension components, the spring bucket on the Z, due to the coilovers being Real Style ones that eliminate the need for a bucket. The coilovers do not separate the strut and springs within the suspension.

When Chen gets to drive the modified sports car, he comments on how the suspension makes such a big difference to the ride. He can feel that it is a bit on the stiff side, yet the Z still has a very compliant ride. The proof is in the road surface the Z goes over, quite a rutty and damaged surface. But Chen and passenger Matthew Davis from Z1 Motorsports are not getting thrown around or buffeted about. The ride quality is still excellent with the race ready shocks.

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As far as modified Nissan Zs go, the Z1 Motorsports example is one of the first. Some 20 tuned examples were at the Tokyo Auto Salon at the start of 2023, highlighting how quick some people have been to change things on the car. Changes ranged from things such as an orange Nissan Z with a custom body kit that we will see on Han's car in the upcoming Fast & Furious film. Another Z, the Trust GReddy Z had a power increase to 644 hp.

The modifications on the Z1 Motorsports Nissan run deep. With a new, updated heat exchanger also incoming for the sports car as well as an air-to-air front mount intercooler system. This should allow the Z to achieve more reliable horsepower ratings compared to the standard car. The brakes have seen changes as well with three versions available. These are the Street Performance brakes, followed by the Track and Competition brakes. The Competition brakes on this Z have huge 15-inch rotors as well as six-piston calipers, which are also ideal for track days. The Track brakes are very similar to what you would have on the Nissan GT-R.

These offer a bigger caliper and more stopping force over the standard brakes to bring them more in line with Nissan's supercar. While the Competition brakes are more appropriate for track usage, the Track brakes are more street-friendly than the top tier. These have less noise and are overall less grabby. The extensive range of modifications made to the new Nissan Z is hugely impressive, especially so soon after the cars launch.

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The main reason Z1 Motorsports modified the sports car so extensively was because they felt it had evolved into a Grand Touring car. Compared to some of its rivals such as the Toyota GR Supra, the Porsche Cayman and 911, Z1 felt the Nissan Z wasn't quite as sharp or responsive in the eyes of Z1. This program of modifications was all about creating that car and bringing the Z slightly away from its Grand Touring ethos. The sharper and more responsive Nissan Z should allow it to take the fight to those C8 Corvette's and Porsche 911s at track days.

Chen is lucky enough to get behind the wheel of the modified 2023 Z. The clutch changes are instantly noticeable, with it sporting the Performance Clutch kit from Z1. This has an unsprung full-face disc, a lighter flywheel and a short shifter. The unsprung disc means the clutch itself can be lighter than standard, as well as more rigid. It also allows for instantaneous clutch engagement, allowing the power to hit the transmission instantly. One way to think of the clutch now is more like an on/off switch.

Other things Chen loves is the sound that the improved turbos make, adding to the fun factor of the car, as well as extra power. Its cliché, but he can feel how much extra the car has and how quickly it comes on. All the changes from Z1 have created a very different 2023 Nissan Z, one that feels much wilder and potent than the standard car which itself has earned high praise.

Source: Larry Chen YouTube Channel

Covering anything from JDM cars to classic jets. Contributed to HotCars since the Autumn of 2018.